Biliran Province State University marked its prominence in the international arena after recently bagging four awards at the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2024 Conference held in Seoul, South Korea on September 25.

University President Dr. Victor C. Cañezo, Jr., along with University and Board Secretary Dr. Ralph Arvic Arcenal, School of Engineering (SOE) Dean Engr. Vivencio Pelesco, and BiPSU’s focal person for WURI Asst. Prof. Jenny Genoguin, personally received the awards.

WURI is a global ranking system that evaluates and acknowledges the innovative efforts and impact of universities worldwide, focusing on academic excellence and research output. It also emphasizes real-world contributions and the tangible impacts universities have on industry and society.

This year, WURI announced  that 1,072 universities were evaluated worldwide. Out of  this figure, BiPSU received recognition for placing 98th on the over-all ranking of the Global Top 300 Innovative Universities in the world.

BiPSU was assessed on its real contributions  to industry and society, highlighting innovative education, research, and engagement to society.

According to University President Dr. Victor C. Cañezo, Jr., the recent achievement of the university speaks of BiPSU’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and the practical application of knowledge to create impact in the community. 

“It shows that our university is not only contributing to academic progress but also playing a crucial role in addressing societal needs and challenges,” the university president said. “These awards are a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our faculty, students, and staff, who continuously strive to make a positive impact on both a local and global scale.”

Clinching three awards in 13 categories

Aside from the over-all ranking, BiPSU also notched three awards out of the thirteen categories of WURI ranking.

During the awarding, Dr. Cañezo presented the best practice of the university in the leadership category. BiPSU’s program titled “Transborder Leadership Approach of BiPSU: Empowering Educational Business  Resilience Amid Adversity”, ranked 32nd in the Leadership Top 100.

In their website, WURI explained that the leadership category “emphasizes whether the existing leadership relinquishes its privilege and continually adapts and innovates to remain effective and influential in the ever-changing landscape of higher education.”

Moreover, two community extension programs of the university were also recognized during the conference under the category Social Responsibility. WURI explained that this category focuses on researching and educating ethics and integrity, rather than solely concentrating on knowledge and skills for academic success.

SOE Dean Engr. Pelesco presented during the conference the community program of the university in Higatangan Island, Naval titled “Empowering Island Communities through Intervention of Green Energy Technology in Water Crisis Management”.

Moreover, BiPSU’s focal person on WURI Assist. Prof. Genoguin also shared at the conference the university’s “Trabaho at Negosyo Extension Project: Fostering Community Empowerment, One Opportunity at a Time” program. 

These two community projects were a ticket of BiPSU to rank on the 29th place in the category Social Responsibility Top 300.

Moreover, the “Project LEA: Knowledge and Skills Enhancement for Future Law Enforcers and Administrators” presented by Dr. Arcenal was also recognized as 34th Place in the Student Support and Engagement Top 100.

This category focuses on supporting student’s academic and career success as well as student welfare, diversity, inclusion, and participation.

Dr. Cañezo gets nomination for WURI Prize award

During the conference, Dr. Cañezo was also awarded with a certificate for being nominated for the WURI Prize for Excellence in Innovation  for Leaders award. 

The WURI Prize is a special recognition given to university leaders who have demonstrated commitment to fostering innovation in education, research, and societal contributions. The award celebrates visionary leaders who go beyond conventional methods and champion innovative practices that address global challenges, inspire progress, and make a lasting impact on both the academic community and society at large.

Dr. Cañezo, who also sits as the President of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Region VIII, shared that being nominated on an international platform highlights the global impact of his work.

“To be considered for such an esteemed recognition is already a great honor,” he said. “It reaffirms that the work we are doing at BiPSU is being noticed on a global scale.”

Meanwhile, Engr. Pelesco was also nominated for the same award in the Faculty category.

BiPSU’s consistent WURI placement

Ranking in the WURI is not new for BiPSU. In a four-year streak, BiPSU has received recognition from the international ranking body.

In 2021, BiPSU ranked 26th out of 50 global universities, becoming one of only three Philippine universities listed among the top 50 global crisis management universities. The award was given in recognition of the university's innovative response at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following year, BiPSU improved its rank to 22nd in the same category, standing alongside six other prominent universities from the Philippines.

Last year, BiPSU climbed further, ranking 14th in global crisis management. In addition, the university secured a place once again in the Global Top Innovative Universities category, joining the 101-200 rank, making BiPSU the 7th most innovative university in the country.

Dr. Cañezo emphasized that the consistent recognitions are not just numbers or rankings; they represent the hard work and heart that the entire BiPSU community puts into everything they do.

“We continue to rise to global challenges, transforming them into opportunities for growth and impact,” Dr. Cañezo uttered. “We’ve faced challenges, yet we continue to find new ways to grow, adapt, and serve our community”

WURI now on its 5th year

WURI was organized by Institute for Policy and Strategy on National Competitiveness (IPSNC) and sponsored by four global institutions, namely: the Hanseatic League of Universities (HLU), the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Taylor Institute (TI) of Franklin University Switzerland (FUS), and The Institute for Industrial Policy Studies (IPS).

WURI, now in its 5th year, stands out as a global ranking system that goes beyond traditional academic metrics like research output and faculty credentials. Instead, it assesses universities on their ability to address real-world challenges and create positive societal impacts. 

Established in 2020, it encompasses innovation targets and methods, offering a comprehensive measure of institutions’ creative contributions to societal advancement.

“The ranking aims to spotlight higher education institutions that excel in these innovative approaches, thereby inspiring advancements across the academic and societal landscape,” their website wrote.

[This aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, which focuses on inclusive and equitable education and lifelong learning. BiPSU's innovative programs and community engagement highlight its commitment to improving education quality and addressing societal needs. Additionally, its initiatives related to water crisis management connect with SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.]